Better-for-You Tuna Melt
This veggie-packed tuna melt is crisp on the outside, melty in the middle, and full of fresh herbs and crunch. The tuna salad is intentionally made in a larger batch so you can enjoy one warm, comforting tuna melt now and have plenty left for easy lunches later in the week.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cans Wild Planet tuna drained
- 1 cup shredded and finely chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp sweet and spicy jalapeños finely chopped
- ¼ cup avocado mayo
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For One Tuna Melt:
- 2 slices Ezekiel bread
- Butter or mayonnaise for spreading on the outside of the bread
- ¾ –1 cup tuna salad
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
Instructions
Make the tuna salad:
- In a medium bowl, add the drained tuna and gently break it up with a fork. Add the carrots, celery, scallions, parsley, dill, and jalapeños.
- Add the avocado mayo, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir until fully combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assemble the sandwich:
- Lay out the bread slices. Spoon ¾ to 1 cup of tuna salad onto one slice of bread and top with the cheddar cheese. Close the sandwich with the second slice of bread.
- Lightly spread butter or mayonnaise on the outside of both slices of bread.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwich in the pan and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the pan, slice in half, and enjoy warm.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 3½–4 cups of tuna salad total. Using ¾–1 cup for one sandwich leaves plenty for leftovers.
- Extra tuna salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If the bread is browning too quickly, lower the heat slightly to allow the cheese to melt fully without burning.
- Leftover tuna salad is great on toast, crackers, or over greens for an easy lunch.